Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Life Links 5/4/10

The Department of Human Services has removed the foster children from the home of the foster mother who alleged that a DHS employee convinced her foster daughter to have an abortion at 24 weeks by threatening to take away her daughter's children.

Donald F. Schwarz, the city's deputy mayor for health and opportunity, explained in a statement why the four minors had been removed from the house.

"It's now become clear that the foster mother has violated Pennsylvania state law regarding confidentiality [by discussing the teen's case with the newspaper], therefore potentially compromising the safety and well-being of the children in her care," Schwarz's statement read.

But coercing a 16-year-old girl to get a 24-week abortion out-of-state without the knowledge or consent of her parents isn't compromising her safety and well-being? This is so evil.

Oklahoma County District Judge Noma Gurich put a hold on Oklahoma's ultrasound law.

Jennifer Mondino, a staff attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, said the law was in effect a few days last week. The Center for Reproductive Rights represents the plaintiffs.

She said some of the women burst into tears while others wanted to run out of the room as a result of ultrasound law....

Charlie Price, a spokesman for Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, said the state agreed to the temporary restraining order to obtain more time to respond to the suit.

The Star Tribune has an article on how Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota is planning on moving its facilities to a larger building in a commercial area.

Stoesz said Planned Parenthood is preparing for a possible increase in demand because of the new federal health care bill, which will add millions of people to insurance rolls starting in 2014. Many will be the lower-income and young adults that Planned Parenthood serves, she said. "We don't know exactly what health care reform will mean for our patients," she said. "But I anticipate that more people will access health care."